SURGERY UPDATE Post #8 and 15 : in this thread to my Updated foot issues

[Iriebabel]

Update to the foot saga: I just returned hope from Amsterdam, few places in Germany, and Salzburg Austria...amazing views but no hiking. There will be no camino for me in 2020

It has been confirmed foot surgery next week and I will Of course update later on the result . The Heel spur is still a spur but the foot has officially been upgraded in addition to the spur to a really bad case of plantar faciitis.


Wish me luck and I wish a Buen 2020 camino to everyone!

Iriebabel aka “the Cyborg Turtle”

 

[wayfarer]

Very sorry to hear your news, the Camino will wait for you. Stay well.

 

[Iriebabel]

Very sorry to hear your news, the Camino will wait for you. Stay well.

Thank you so much @wayfarer . That thought of the camino is what keeps me in the positive. I am not too sad I must do what is fated and necessary. Although the foot survived the Norte it is begging me to stop and rest a while. I will continue to update the forum members as others are also suffering with the same issues and it is always important to know what has and has not worked and what all the option are.

 

[Iriebabel]

Update to the foot saga: I just returned hope from Amsterdam, few places in Germany, and Salzburg Austria...amazing views but no hiking. There will be no camino for me in 2020

It has been confirmed foot surgery next week and I will Of course update later on the result . The Heel spur is still a spur but the foot has officially been upgraded in addition to the spur to a really bad case of plantar faciitis.


Wish me luck and I wish a Buen 2020 camino to everyone!

Iriebabel aka “the Cyborg Turtle”

I forgot to mention the name of the procedure In case anyone would like to check it out on the web/youtube :
Right Foot Endoscopic plantar faciotomy. At the moment he has no plans to remove the heel spur.

 

[SabsP]

@Iriebabel : I wish you all the best with your surgery. Quick healing!

 

[Iriebabel]

@Iriebabel : I wish you all the best with your surgery. Quick healing!

Thank you. I am looking forward to having no pain in at least one foot

 

[tominrm]

I read this with great interest as I have been suffering from plantar fasciitis on my right foot. I now can feel a hard lump size of pea deep inside my heel and hope I do not have to go through surgery. It is painful after walking a few steps, but I am using a gold ball everyday to see if the ball will make it any smaller. the lump is so hard I can not only feel but also hear when the ball moves around it. It has been a problem, but I have been hoping it goes away with time.
Anyway, my camino is still planned early March and hope the lump disappears completely by then. If not, I may have to depends a lot more on public transportation than I'd like.

 

[Iriebabel]

I read this with great interest as I have been suffering from plantar fasciitis on my right foot. I now can feel a hard lump size of pea deep inside my heel and hope I do not have to go through surgery. It is painful after walking a few steps, but I am using a gold ball everyday to see if the ball will make it any smaller. the lump is so hard I can not only feel but also hear when the ball moves around it. It has been a problem, but I have been hoping it goes away with time.
Anyway, my camino is still planned early March and hope the lump disappears completely by then. If not, I may have to depends a lot more on public transportation than I'd like.

UPDATE: I had surgery yesterday: Right Foot Endoscopic Plantar Faciotomy. Thanks everyone for your support and prayers

It went well a very short procedure under 1 hr under general anesthetic. I am partial weight bearing in a orthopedic boot but only as necessary,follow up to remove the dressing on Monday. I am not using any pain medicine ( my choice as I tolerate pain very well and have allergic to some pain medicine including NSAIDS). I was given an antibiotic to take 3 times per day with Ice pack use very often . He did not address the heel spur or the partial tear seen on the MRI because he felt the problem was mainly the plantar faciia.

As to your foot problems I wish you luck and reduced pain and hopefully a buen camino but
I recommend you to see a Podiatrist, if you have not already, before your camino. You never know if you can cause more damage to an already compromised foot injury. If you do not care for your foot then your foot cannot carry you on your camino or in your daily life.

I walked in april 2019 but this was after some previous treatments. Just before Gijon on the Norte I had to completely modify my walking plan...even after getting at least 2 -1 hour physio treatments per week while walking . There are many options you can try before surgery is necessary. This was my final option as I have tried every other non evasive action. You can see more of my foot journey from my previous posts

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/cyborg-turtle-reflections-of-the-norte-heel-spur-update-and-more.65656/post-807144

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/update-to-heal-spurs-and-micro-tears-and-more-oh-my.60117/post-774597

 

[Former member 49149]

Dear Iriebabel, so good to see you on again. Glad you are sounding so positive, but that is how you are, so it seems to me. I do wish you well, and look forward to your next advance notice of an upcoming Camino. Here is a blessing in anticipation.
May The Road Rise up to Meet You
Irish Blessing.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

 

[Iriebabel]

Dear Iriebabel, so good to see you on again. Glad you are sounding so positive, but that is how you are, so it seems to me. I do wish you well, and look forward to your next advance notice of an upcoming Camino. Here is a blessing in anticipation.
May The Road Rise up to Meet You
Irish Blessing.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Thank You @kirkie for such kind thoughts. It must be my Irish ancestors who passed on the Good DNA which keeps me on the positive. Nothing is so big as to not be overcome.

Sun is shining in Florida here slightly north of Tampa but it is darned cold today at -1C/29F ...I feel sorry for the iguanas falling out of palm trees in south Florida .
Me and my fake electric fireplace/heater —a refab Antique dresser I made over myself couple years agoenjoying the view from the window.

 

[Anniesantiago]

So sorry to hear about your surgery.
I hope you're up and healing soon!

 

[Iriebabel]

So sorry to hear about your surgery.
I hope you're up and healing soon!

Thank you so much....I am feeling good and very hopeful. Hope to be back on my feet (literally) in 6 weeks

 

[pookah68]

Thank you for the information. I am facing a similar struggle. I already have my Camino planned for June (Leon to Santiago), and my visit with my new podiatrist today was discouraging. I have had PF for almost 3 years, which he says is likely now plantar fasciosis, not fasciitis, which is much harder to treat non-surgically. I hoped that getting another injection before I leave would be an option, but he said it's not wise. Now I fear that I won't be able to complete my Camino, and if I do I will cause serious damage. If I had time, I would do the surgery now, but I wouldn't be fully recovered by June.

 

[VNwalking]

I missed this thread and am only here in time to wish you rapid healing, @Iriebabel !
May that foot be healed and pain-free - able to happily carry you through many more days of walking, on the camino and off it!
♥

 

[Iriebabel]

Thank you for the information. I am facing a similar struggle. I already have my Camino planned for June (Leon to Santiago), and my visit with my new podiatrist today was discouraging. I have had PF for almost 3 years, which he says is likely now plantar fasciosis, not fasciitis, which is much harder to treat non-surgically. I hoped that getting another injection before I leave would be an option, but he said it's not wise. Now I fear that I won't be able to complete my Camino, and if I do I will cause serious damage. If I had time, I would do the surgery now, but I wouldn't be fully recovered by June.

I had my follow up yesterday ...still one more week before the stitches are removed and Im healing well. I am still not using any pain medicines I am allergic to so much I cant even take NSAIDS (overcounter pain relievers) so I go cold turkey. The worst part maybe just sitting doing nothing. I am partial weight bearing and on my crutches.
I use Ice a lot and keep my foot elevated above my heart and this action almost always assure me I can sleep more in the night. The surgery was under general anesthetic so although short it is still significant to mention.

Im sure you have already spoken to the doctor about the risks and possible compromises Heed the advise but also trust yourself ...trust your own instincts. I would never discourage you from doing your caminio ,instead I will offer encouragement and this advise

Don’t give up. But also dont push it too hard ..you can supplement walking with taking a bus if necessary.....walk as much as you can and then plan the back up Just in case you cannot complete the entire days walk. Consider modifying your daily walking schedule. I dont know how much time you have to walk but you can reduce the number of km per day. Start out earlier so you can have built in rest time during the day and still make your daily goal. And if you interested in the compostela you can still get it from by concentrating the walk from Sarria to Santiago.

The most important thing you can do is prepare as much as you can and listen to your feet. This worked for me: Antishock poles are effective, Consider sending your pack forward and walking with only essentials in your day pack.....PLAN PLAN and PLAn and always have alternatives in mind. Use sports tape , add a really good insert and if you can. Ice (elevate) invest in really good supportive shoe. I used HOKA one one Tor (expensive but effective).... I don't think I could have done the Norte without it. I was also getting physio while walking At least 1 one hour session per week sometimes 2. If you are truly wanting to do this, it can be done Just learn to RESPECT your feet and RESPECT YOUR PAIN ...make it your friend. . I wish you such good luck and a buen camino
Karen

my cryogenic cuff. For continuous ice flow....




.


Karen

 

[Iriebabel]

I missed this thread and am only here in time to wish you rapid healing, @Iriebabel !
May that foot be healed and pain-free - able to happily carry you through many more days of walking, on the camino and off it!
♥

Thank you @VNwalking ...I am doing well and so far so good. I hope I will be back doing some shorter day hikes in Spring either in Scotland or in Spain...we shall see. I’m a;ways planning the next walk. I will keep everyone updated . After the surgical pain has dimished a bit I will be able to tell everyone how success feels. So far so good

 

[VNwalking]

my cryogenic cuff. For continuous ice flow....

Interesting!!!
Is it portable?
Is it usable for ankles and knees as well as feet??

 

[Iriebabel]

Interesting!!!
Is it portable?
Is it usable for ankles and knees as well as feet??

I got mine from my doctor but Many different brands are available .

Amazon.com : Donjoy cryo cuff

Yes it’s portable...maybe the cooler too big for hiking.

I’m sure some smart person can find a way to make a water bottle into a small more portable canister. If I find a smaller travel one I will post here but basically I thinking I could convert my water hydration pack (water bladder) by checking if the tubing can be attached to the cryo sleeve . ( genius if i can get it to work I can hike with it ) hahahah

you can get additional cuffs (ice pack sleeve) for what every body part. It’s basically a ice chest looks like the one used for large amount of liquids. as you can see in the picture.. this particular ice cuff was given to me for my knee surgery and the cuff has Velcro to secure it.

. just add water then ice open the airflow (pouring spout) and hold the unit above the after body part and let the cold water flow into the cuff...when the water gets to feeling warm repeat the process until the cuff will not accept any more water......when this happens remove the cuff hold it high above the canister .

Open the air flow and reverse the water back into the cooler. The water gets cold again ...put the ice cuff(ice pack) back on the affected body part and reverse the flow by opening the air flow valve again and let the water flow back into the cuff.[/URL]

 

[dbender49]

Thank you for the information. I am facing a similar struggle. I already have my Camino planned for June (Leon to Santiago), and my visit with my new podiatrist today was discouraging. I have had PF for almost 3 years, which he says is likely now plantar fasciosis, not fasciitis, which is much harder to treat non-surgically. I hoped that getting another injection before I leave would be an option, but he said it's not wise. Now I fear that I won't be able to complete my Camino, and if I do I will cause serious damage. If I had time, I would do the surgery now, but I wouldn't be fully recovered by June.

I'd suggest talking to your doctor about getting Platlet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections. It is possible that insurance would pay for it. If not, and you can afford to take a 2 week vacation to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, you could get PRP here. Three injections over a 12 day period would cost ~$300- US. Google PRP for plantar fascitis to see the studies. Good luck!

 

[Iriebabel]

I have several injections of PRP as shown in my earlier post. See post # 8 for links to my older posts.although I got the injections My case was already past the point where this could help. . PRP is definitely a good option and I agree the poster should talk to her doctor but Just a cautionary note that PRP is not for everyone or should I say every case.

Another caution , although cheaper treatment is available the medical standards and protocols in other countries are different than the USA, if any persons choose to get medical or surgical care outside the USA I recommend really being aggressive about doing your research to ensure the facilities are medically qualified and meet high standards for infection control .